18VAC10-20-382, Minimum standards and procedures for surveys determining topography; field procedures; office procedures.

The section on Minimum standards and procedures for land boundary surveying practice, 18VAC10-20-370.D.w., specifically requires a “professional’s seal, signature and date.”  The section on Minimum standards and procedures for surveys determining the location

of physical improvements; field procedures; office procedures, 18VAC10-20-380.C.17, specifically requires a “professional’s seal, signature and date.”  The section on Minimum standards and procedures for surveys determining topography; field procedures; office procedures, 18VAC10-20-382, does NOT specifically require a “professional’s seal, signature and date”.  This creates confusion even though 18VAC10-20-760 requires all work to contain a seal, signature and date.  Professionals believe that 18VAC10-20-382.B.11 negates the requirements to have a seal, signature and date from the professional responsible for the topographic survey.  It would help clarify the situation if the regulations were to add 18VAC10-20-382.B.12 that states, “Professional’s seal, signature and date.”

                Is it the intent of the Board that 18VAC10-20-382.B.11 shall appear on all documents containing topographic data?  For example, should the construction drawing (construction sheet) containing topographic data have the statement from 18VAC10-20-382.B.11?

                Should 18VAC10-20-382.B.11 be revised, such that “(Name of Surveyor or Surveyor Photogrammetrist”) is changed to “(Professional)”?

                How should topographic data offered through “clearing houses” include the statement 18VAC10-20-382.B.11?   For example, VITA/VGIN provides topographic data to localities and surveying/engineering firms for use in designs.  Should the surveyor or surveyor photogrammetrist who prepared the work for VITA/VGIN be providing the statement included in 18VAC10-20-382.B.11 to each entity using/purchasing the information?  Are localities and surveying/engineering firms allowed to use this survey information in their designs?   Is it the expectation or could the regulations be changed such that the surveyor or surveyor photogrammetrist provide a signed and sealed letter that could be included in the use of the information?  For example, the signed and sealed letter could be included as part of the design/construction documents. 

 

How can a locality take advantage of the aerial mapping, USGS topographic quad sheets, and LIDAR data without the need to have the firm using data redo (verify) the work?   For example, let's same a PSA wishes to have a waterline designed and installed.  For a waterline design, 5 to 10 foot contours may be sufficient and variations in the topographic from the information shown on the construction drawings do not have a significant impact on the final function of the project.   How can the designer uses this information and still meet the regulations?  Or another situation could be the installing a waterline, water tank, and road that must tie-in to an existing road.  In this case, the design may be included to use the aerial mapping from the locality to design the waterline route and then perform a detailed topographic survey where the two roads meet.  How can this method of working with data be appropriately handled and still comply with the regulations (18VAC10-20-760).

 

Is the expectation that the design professional using the topographic data peform spot checks and performs visual observations such that the he or shee feels confident the information is accurate enough for his or her design?